NWS Announces Season Job Wins
For nearly four decades, the New World Symphony (NWS) has been shaping the future of orchestral music, preparing over 1,300 alumni to lead, innovate and inspire music across the globe.
From performing in grand concert halls and renowned festivals to fostering young talent in classrooms and beyond, these emerging musicians carry forth NWS’s mission, making a lasting impact through their artistry, vision and dedication now in new communities worldwide.
Join us in celebrating the NWS Fellows and alumni who secured new positions during the 2025-26 season. We’re excited to see where the future takes them!
Fellows/Alumni: If we have inadvertently omitted your name, please contact Tom Hadley and Sue Arrowsmith.
Andrew Abel, Faculty (Tuba), Pacific Lutheran University; Principal Tuba, Spokane Symphony
Nikki Abissi, Instructor (Trombone), SUNY Purchase
Teddy Abrams, Artistic and Executive Director, Ojai Music Festival
** Morgan Bennett, Assistant Concertmaster, Des Moines Metro Opera
Emily Bieker, Principal Flute, Jacksonville Symphony
Samuel Blair, Second Bassoon, Atlanta Symphony
Kate Bruns, Assistant Principal Oboe, President’s Own U.S. Marine Band
** Erina Buchholz, Concertmaster, Louisiana Philharmonic
Jacob Buhler, Violin, Phoenix Symphony (one-year); Associate Principal Second Violin, Auckland Philharmonia
Kayla Burggraf, Principal Flute, Houston Symphony
Nick Castellano, Associate, Hogan Lovells US LLP
** Bridget Conley, Principal Tuba, Saint Louis Symphony
** Jake Darnell, Principal Timpani, Atlanta Symphony
Mark Debski, Associate Principal Oboe, Cincinnati Symphony
Joe Desotelle, Percussion, President’s Own U.S. Marine Band
** Diego Diaz, Violin, Jacksonville Symphony
Wesley Ducote, Principal Keyboard, Houston Symphony
Carolyn Farnand, Acting Assistant Principal Viola, Winnipeg Symphony
**Jack Farnham, Principal Trumpet, Spokane Symphony
** Ian Grems, Bass, Turku Philharmonic (Finland)
** Sadie Hamrin, Violin, Tucson Symphony
** Ryan Ran Hou, Violin, Washington National Opera
Matthew Howard, Faculty (Percussion), Colburn School
Thea Humphries, Horn, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; Horn, Phoenix Symphony
Andrew Johnson, Principal Percussion, National Arts Centre Orchestra
Blake-Anthony Johnson, Board of Directors, League of American Orchestras
** Deurim Jung, Violin, Colorado Symphony (one-year)
**Jack Kessler, Viola, Israel Philharmonic Academy
** Sooyoung Kim, English Horn/Oboe, Toledo Symphony
** Marcie Kolacki, General Manager, Hopkins Symphony Orchestra
** Wing Yan Alison Kwok, Second Violin, Fort Worth Symphony
** Nina Laube, Second Bassoon, Baltimore Symphony (one-year)
Scott Leger, Assistant Professor (Horn), University of Kentucky
** Yun-Chung Lin, Violin, Kansas City Symphony
Morgen Low, Trumpet, Seraph Brass
Anna Kate Mackle, Lecturer (Harp), University of Miami Frost School of Music
** Matthew Matheny, Assistant Principal/Second Bassoon, Sarasota Orchestra
** Elizabeth McCormack, Principal Flute, Hartford Symphony
Gabriel Napoli, Viola, The Cleveland Orchestra
Patti Niemi, Faculty (Percussion), San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Rebecca Oliverio, Assistant Principal/Third Trumpet, Grant Park Festival Orchestra
Travis Peterson, Associate Principal Trumpet, Philadelphia Orchestra
Christian Reif, Music Director Designate, Wuppertaler Bühnen und Sinfonieorchester (Germany)
Nash Ryder, Assistant Professor (Violin), Florida Gulf Coast University
Noah Sonderling, Staff Pianist, UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
Michael Rau, Violin, Cincinnati Symphony
Erik Rynearson, Viola, Chautauqua Symphony
Carrie Schafer, Artist Coordinator, KD Schmidt
Brendon Sill, Contrabassoon and Utility Bassoon, The Cleveland Orchestra (one-year)
**Sam Sun, Viola, Nashville Symphony
Molly Turner, Associate Conductor, Minnesota Orchestra
** Matthew West, Percussion, San Diego Symphony
Thomas Zera, Co-Founder, The Substitute Pool